Can You Translate These Trucker Slang Words?

About This Quiz

CB radio was a big thing back in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s! People sat in their homes talking to one another, developing their own special language that only they understood ... along with truckers!

Long-haul trucking is a lonely job, that's for sure. CB radios helped with that loneliness. They gave truckers a way to stay in communication with each other, to help eat up the miles as truck rode the length and breadth of America.

CB radios were so popular that a first lady even had a handle. That's right, Betty Ford, wife of President Gerald Ford had a CB handle. And what was it? First mama! How apt.

Do you know how CB radios became popular? Well, it was the '70s gas crises that fueled them. With a national speed limit of 55 mph. Truckers used CB radios to communicate, point out police speed points and inform each other cheap fuel stops.

And of course, they had their own way of speaking, a trucker slang was invented.

And in this quiz, we are going to test your knowledge of trucker slang to its fullest.

10-4 Good buddy, and good luck!

What does the use of the word "copy" mean?

A copy of your license and registration

Do you understand?

The police are further down the road.

A fuel station is up ahead.

'Copy' is used in a number of ways. For example, "Do you copy?" means "Do you understand?" "That's a copy" would be a positive affirmation that you understood what the other driver has said.

A trucker normally has a "comic book." What would this be?

A comic book

His logbook

A report of the consignment he is carrying

None of the above

A "comic book" would refer to the truckers log book. Back before GPS systems, truckers would record their journeys in a log book.

If a trucker said he almost had an accident involving a "crotch rocket," what did he nearly hit?

A muscle car

Another truck

A motorcycle, often of Japanese origin but not a chopper or Harley

A police vehicle

A "crotch rocket" often referred to road bikes of Japanese origin. There were speedy super-styled bikes, not a cruiser for example.

Any ideas as to what "double nickel" referred to?

A truck stop

A fuel station

A diner

A speed limit of 55

Yes, truckers even had slang for speed limits. The "double nickel" makes perfect sense for a speed limit of 55

Something a trucker DIDN'T want was a driving award. What was it?

A speeding ticket

An award for the best trucker, it clashed with their rough image

An illness while on the road

None of the above

If you received a "driving award," you were simply caught speeding.

"You have an Evil Knievel approaching" means what exactly?

A stuntman is behind you.

A police officer on a motorcycle is approaching.

Another truck is passing.

None of the above

Well we know Evil Knievel loved motorcycles, so this bit of trucker slang does make sense.

A trucker who "had their nightgown on" was ready to do what?

Sleep

Eat

Party

Drive through the night

Trucking is tiring business, especially on a long haul. Any trucker that was ready to bed down for the night would let his CB buddies know using this slang term.

"Baker Niner 46" would be a trucker's ______

Location

Age

CB radio identity

None of the above

Each trucker has a specific name to identify themselves. This was called their "handle."

When a truck driver said he was having "shutter trouble," what did he mean?

His air conditioning system was broken.

His window wouldn't open.

His sun visor was stuck.

He had trouble staying away while driving.

"Shutters" are eyes in trucker slang. A trucker having shutter problems was having difficulty staying awake while driving.

"Just passed a meat wagon on the interstate" would refer to what vehicle?

Police car

Ambulance

Fire truck

Dump truck

A term used by others, the police for example, a meat wagon is an ambulance.

If a trucker were to say they will "mash their motor," what do you think they meant?

Go faster!

Stop for gas

Stop for food

None of the above

Along with "hammer down," this trucker slang term indicated that they trucker in question was about to go faster.

"Negatory" means ________

Yes

Maybe

No

I'm on my way.

Simply really. "Negatory" is classic trucker slang for no

Could you tell us what this trucker slang term means: "pay the water bill."

Pay the water bill

Take a bathroom break

Need to stop for some refreshments

None of the above

"Paying the water bill" would see a trucker finding a stop so they could go to the toilet

Truckers are usually very courteous. What does "'preeshaydit" mean?

I need the toilet.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

I am tired.

I need to sleep.

Easy to see, right! Just a special word truckers use to show their appreciation

"Radio check ... 1,2,3" If a trucker said that, what is he trying to do?

Indicate he is stopping for the night

Test if other truckers can hear his transmission

Telling other truckers police are out in force

None of the above

Truckers would often check to see if their CB radios were working properly before they hit the road. This is how they did it.

What does the term "roller skate" refer to?

A small car

A medium-sized truck

A van

None of the above

A roller skate is a small car, Truckers certainly have some great slang words. This is one of them that perfectly describes the object it refers to.

"Reading the mail" means?

Listening to CB radio chatter without talking

Paying the bills

Reading a newspaper

None of the above

Also called "sandbagging," sometimes trucker would just listen to the radio chatter as they drove.

A "Schneider egg" is what exactly?

A type of candy

A meal

Orange traffic/construction cones

None of the above

Truckers really have a word for just about anything!

A trucker who picked up a "sleeper creeper" had what in his cab?

A hitchhiker

A prostitute

A policeman

None of the above

Prostitutes were to be found at truck stops all over, and truckers often used their services.

When a trucker said "A stagecoach just passed me," what type of vehicle was he referring to?

A small car

A tour bus

A dump truck

A motorcycle

Yes, in trucker slang, a tour bus was called a stagecoach.

Police "taking pictures" would be doing what?

Manning a traffic stop

Eating doughnuts

Using a radar gun to check speeds

None of the above

Truckers are always wary of police, especially when it comes to the enforcement of speed limits!

"I am going through the cash register now," would refer to what?

Although they will try to avoid them, paying to use a toll road is an inevitable task for truckers. So much so they developed a slang word for it!

If a trucker was at the "chicken coop," what was going to happen next?

His rig was to be weighed at the weigh station.

He was going to eat KFC.

He was at a truck stop.

None of the above

Along all major trucking routes are weigh stations. Trucks are weighed to see if they are within their weight limit. If not, they are fined.

____________ is phrased as "Do you copy?"

Are you hungry?

Do you need help?

Do you need me to call 911?

Do you understand?

"Copy"' is one one of the most used terms in trucker slang.

A "dragon wagon" is a?

Police car

Bus

Van

Tow truck

If your truck was broken and could not be fixed, you would need a "dragon wagon" to tow it to the nearest mechanic.

Filling up with "go-go juice" meant a trucker was:

Drinking beer

Drinking cooldrink

Filling up his rig with diesel

None of the above

Trucker rigs are thirsty and trips certainly would need plenty of "go-go juice."

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